Kansas City to Host 2013 MLS All-Star Game

By Phil Naegely

Photo Credit: Major League Soccer

Major League Soccerannounced on Jan. 10 that the 2013 MLS All-Star Game will be held at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City. The game will be held on July 31 against an international opponent, which will be announced at a later date.

This is the 10th time that the MLS’ best will take on an international club. Last year, Eddie Johnson scored the game-winner as the MLS All-Stars beat Chelsea 3-2 at PPL Park. This is the first time the All-Star game will be in Kansas City, and the MLS is 6-2-1 in past games against international opponents.

Livestrong Sporting Park was built in 2011, and has already become a premier soccer stadium in the United States. During MLS action last season, Sporting KansasCity sold out 17 of their 18 home games, and Livestrong Park also hosted U.S National team games and CONCACAF Gold Cup action.

The All-Star Game will be televised on ESPN at 8 p.m. EST and more details will be announced at a later date. The game will conclude three days of All-Star festivities and other events involving some of the league’s top talent.

It will be interesting to see in the future what team takes on the MLS All-Stars. The MLS picked a great soccer specific venue to host the next All-Star Game; if the 2013 game is anything like last year’s, then the MLS will hit another ball out of the park.

This announcement comes a day after the MLS released full schedules for all 19 teams.